Motor operated control valve

ABSTRACT

A valve consisting of a motor that rotates a cylinder to perform various functions in controlling liquid flow. The operation being controlled by a cam operated switch to start and stop cylinder in the various cycles.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] Not applicable.

BACKGROUND-FIELD OF INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates to a rotary cylinder valve that may beused in a water softening capacity that controls the liquid flow thoughthe softener resin in five cycles by regenerating the ion exchange resinwith brine as a regenerate.

BACKGROUND-DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART

[0003] Prior valve design usually consists of a rotating disc orreciprocating piston that require a large number of parts, with anexcessive amount of sealing services and are relatively expensive tomanufacture. Other factors to consider in prior valves are as follows:

[0004] (a) more prone to liquid leaks due to excessive sealing surfaces;

[0005] (b) high operating torque needed to rotate or reciprocatefunctional member;

[0006] (c) the complicated means for homing in service cycle by use ofan additional switch, optical lens, or continuous monitoring by thecontrol circuit;

[0007] (d) complex designs making it unfeasible to mold more than onecontrol valve at a time making part more costly;

[0008] (e) prior valves may need special fixtures, heat welding machinesand a large area for production;

[0009] (f) prior valves are complicated and difficult to service;

[0010] (g) present designs are not adaptable in altering configurationof mold to change outside appearance for vendor purposes;

[0011] (h) prior valves do not have a positive means to alleviate theaccumulation of air or liquid before removing main valve components;

[0012] (i) present bypass valves are of the push pull or turn spool typeU.S. Pat. Nos. 5,931,196 or 5,152,321 that contain an excessive amountof sealing surface making sealing member difficult to actuate, anduneconomical to be motor driven;

[0013] (j) prior valves contain an excessive number of parts incomparison to its functional requirements;

[0014] (k) prior valve designs do not have the capability ofillustrating functional capabilities in simple form;

[0015] (l) prior valves designs do not lend themselves to be enlargedinto commercial sizes due to difficulties in torque requirements andassembly.

SUMMARY

[0016] It is the object of this invention to provide an improved rotarycontrol valve.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES

[0017] Several objects and advantages of the present invention are:

[0018] (a) to provide a valve of various sizes capable of using the samebasic design while eliminating the variable effects of friction due topressure and area differences that is associated with increased valvesize;

[0019] (b) another object is to design a unique rotary cylinder havingliquid passages in one unit that aligns with seal openings to performvarious cycle functions where cylinder opening or cavities may berepositioned to change flow patterns if desired;

[0020] (c) an object is to simplify the orientation of cylinder inrelation to its service position and is readily visible as to its cyclelocation;

[0021] (d) another object of the invention is having the capability ofcontaining functional parts such as aspirator in to main cylinder tosimplify replacement of all internal functional parts;

[0022] (e) another object is to produce a valve constructed in one planeto simplify molding with the capability of producing more than one valveat a time to reduce cost. This also makes drawing diagrams easilyunderstood by the average service person for repairing purposes;

[0023] (f) another object is to produce a valve where main seal isaccessible by the simple removal of a ‘U’ pin, which also acts as aliquid or air pressure relief;

[0024] (g) another object of the invention is to produce a bypass valvecontaining a minimum amount of parts and sealing surface allowing it tobe economically feasible in using a handle or motor to rotate valveshaft;

[0025] (h) another object is to have a cam-operated switch capable ofproducing a short electrical impulse prior to service position thatinteracts with timer electronics to indicate service is the nextposition;

[0026] (i) another object is to have control valve achieve its functionsusing the minimal amount of sealing surfaces, which effects rotatingtorque, and making it less prone to failure due to liquid leaks;

[0027] (j) another object is to have all functional parts easilyaccessible for manufacturing and repairs;

[0028] (k) another object is having the option of positioning the timeraccording to requirements as in a one or two tank unit.

DRAWING FIGURES

[0029]FIG. 1 is a partial broken away view of complete liquid treatmentapparatus in service position.

[0030]FIG. 2 shows a cutaway view of the liquid treatment apparatusshowing the valve in the service position with connection to the saltcontainer where brine is produced

[0031]FIG. 3 is a cutaway view of valve in the fill position, whichallows the flow of soft water liquid to salt container for brinemake-up. Water is also available to service lines as hard water.

[0032]FIG. 4 is a cutaway view showing the valve in the regenerationcycle where brine is injected into the system by means of an aspiratorto rejuvenate the system.

[0033]FIG. 5 is a cutaway view showing the valve in the backwash cyclethat allows the resin to rise and clean the resin beads while dislodgingforeign matter out the drain.

[0034]FIG. 6 is a cutaway view showing the valve in the fast rinseposition where the resin bed is packed and insures soft water to outletwhen valve returns to service.

[0035]FIG. 7 shows main valve in the service position with the bypassvalve rotated my means of a motor to the bypass position allowing hardwater to service line, but shutting off liquid flow to valve.

[0036]FIG. 8 shows switch in service position and the sequence of cycleposition on gear and its homing capability.

[0037]FIG. 9 shows a means of inserting seal and operation of pressurerelease on U-pin.

[0038]FIG. 10 shows another means of integrating aspirator into maincylinder.

[0039]FIG. 11 shows valve design to reduce friction especially in largevalves by having aspirator mounted outside valve.

[0040]FIG. 12 shows position of motor in relation to gear and cam thatallows the cylinder to be removed without interfering with switch ormotor, and connections to float and drain connections.

DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES-PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0041]FIG. 1 is a cutaway drawing showing valve 48 and 49 in relation totank 51 and salt containing receptacle 15. The drawing FIG. 2 shows thecontrol valve 49 in the service position with the liquid entering thebypass 48 through opening 1 and flowing through opening in rotor member2 containing seals 3 and 4 allowing liquid to flow though opening 5 invalve 49 and continuing through opening in front of cylinder 21containing seal 6 and through opening in sealing member 7 and opening 8down through resin bed 9 which softens water and enters bottomdistributor 19 and flowing up tube 20 past seal 7 and opening incylinder 21 into chamber 10 and past turbine 11 around passage 12 tooutlet 13 in bypass 48 to service line. Also shown in FIG. 2 areopenings 17 connecting line 16 to tube 15 in container 14 and opening 18for drain.

[0042] The refill cycle FIG. 3 is shown with the cylinder 21 revolved soopening 22 provides hard water to service line 13 while allowing liquidto enter through recess 23 in cylinder 21 and flow through chamber 8 anddown ion exchange resin 9 and continue through openings in bottomdistributor 19 as soft water. The soft water flows up tube 20 andopening in seal 7 and out recess 24 in cylinder 21 and out connector 17through brine line 16 and tube 14 into container 15. The volume ofliquid flowing to container 15 may be controlled by timing refill rateor by a float controlled shut off valve.

[0043]FIG. 4 shows the regeneration and slow rinse cycle where thecylinder 21 is positioned to allow liquid from bypass 1 to flow throughopening 22 in cylinder 21 to supply hard water to service line 13.Bypass liquid is also diverted around cylinder 21 and through hole 25 incylinder 21 and screen 26 through hole 27 and gasket 28. Liquid thenflows through nozzle 29 creating a suction that draws regenerantsolution from tube 14 into opening 17 entering recess 30 and combiningwith nozzle liquid and then enters chamber 31 in cylinder 21 andcontinuing down and upward through ion exchange mineral 9 that restoresthe hardness removal ability and the regenerant flow continues thoughopening in seal 7 through recess 32 in cylinder 21 and out drain 18.

[0044]FIG. 5 is shown in the backwash position after cylinder 21revolves and stops at the predetermined time and allows hard water to bebypassed to service line 13 through opening 22 in cylinder 21 while someliquid is diverted through cylinder opening 10 past gasket opening ofseal 7 and down riser tube 20 and up ion exchange mineral 9 thoughrecess 33 in cylinder 21 and out drain passage 18. This cycle cleans themineral beads and dislodges foreign matter.

[0045]FIG. 6 shows unit in a fast rinse position that allows some liquidto enter through recess 34 in cylinder 21 through opening in seal 7 andflowing downward through ion exchange resin 9 and bottom distributor 19and up tube 20 past opening in seal 7 and though recess 35 in cylinder21 out drain opening 18. This cycle packs the ion exchange bed andassures immediate soft water when positioned to service position.

[0046]FIG. 7 shows a motor 48 activated bypass that rotates gear 49allowing liquid to be diverted from main liquid supply 1 to the houseline 13 as hard water.

[0047]FIG. 8 shows configuration in cam 36 in relation with switch 37that controls the various functions to be performed. Also shown isconfined opening 38 in cam 36 to assist in homing to service position.

[0048]FIG. 9 shows seal 7 positioned to be inserted in valve body 49 andcontained between two protrusions 39 allowing openings in seal 7 toalign with valve 49 openings to control liquid flow. Also shown is U-pin40 that retains cylinder 21 and contains o-ring 41 that acts as apressure relief before U-pin can be dislodged.

[0049]FIG. 10 shows a different type of aspirator 42 contained incylinder 21 and another means to position inlet and outlet openings.

[0050]FIG. 11 shows means to reduce friction on large rotating cylindersby separating aspirator 43 from valve body by eliminating seal area torefill port and reducing size of o-ring seal on cylinder shaft.

[0051]FIG. 12 shows back of valve and position of a motor 45, drain 46,fitting 47 connection to container, gear 36 containing cam and handle44, position of bypass valve.

We claim:
 1. A bypass valve for use in treating liquid materialcomprising: (a) a liquid flow control valve, comprising a housing havinga circular cavity containing an untreated liquid inlet port at one sideof its ends and a second treated outlet port axially aligned in thecavity with connecting openings from circular cavity to the inlet andoutlet connections in main valve; (b) a rotor having an axially alignedinlet cavity with a passage spaced radially outward and housed in acylindrical cavity;
 2. The bypass valve of claim 1 wherein o-rings areinstalled in right angle configured rotor to confine liquid flow tovalve or to house outlet when rotated.
 3. A rotary control valve saidcontrol comprising a housing having an untreated liquid inlet port andtreated outlet port that connects with a cylindrical opening, saidcavity having openings positioned between protrusions, whichcommunicates to top and bottom of container, and the regenerate liquidrefill port and waste outlet port; (a) a rotating cylinder withselectively formed passages and positions that communicate between sealand cylinder openings to direct liquid flow according to preferenceneeded to perform the various functions; (b) a timer controlled toactivate motor for rotating cylinder to selectively align various slotsin cylinder with or block said openings in main valve, said motor alsocontrols cam, which is part of rotating gear whereby a switch isactivated to position cylinder.
 4. The invention defined in claim 3wherein the axial aligned rotor may be in a position to bypass liquidwhen said rotor inlet port is aligned with house outlet port.
 5. Thestructure of rotary flow control valve of claim 3 wherein a housinghaving an untreated liquid inlet port and a treated liquid outlet portextending from second cylindrical side wall, said cavity having openingon one end to insert seal between protrusions provided on bottom ofcavity wall and means for inserting cylinder.
 6. The seal of claim 5comprising of a resilient material with openings corresponding withopenings in rotary control valve and the ability to position rotatingcylinder to align or block said openings for directing liquid flow. 7.The rotary flow control valve in claim 3 wherein valve body has adjacentopenings consisting of a refill port, a waste port and openings to topand bottom of container positioned between protrusions containingresilient seal.
 8. The rotating cylinder in claim 3 consisting of formedpassages and positions that communicate openings between seal and valvehousing, said cylinder also having means to house the aspirator.
 9. Thestructure set forth in claim 8 wherein the cylinder comprises of a motordriven gear and cam mounted on the shaft to activate switch in providingan electrical impulse in controlling positioning of cylinder.
 10. Thestructure set forth in claim 9 wherein said cam provides means justprior to service position to activate switch in a rapid open and closeposition allowing electrical input to timer circuit in establishing homeposition is next.
 11. The structure of claim 3 wherein said rotary valvecontains slots in cylinder wall to accommodate the insertion of a U-pinto contain rotating cylinder in valve housing.
 12. The invention definedin claim 11 wherein said U-pin comprises of a cylinder projectioncontaining an O-ring seal, which relieves pressure in housing beforeU-pin can be disengaged.